Do controllers such as the HC-300 have to be hardwired with cat5e to the network (assuming you dont want to use the wireless USB thing), or can they do everything they need to over Zigbee if you have a pretty extensive dimmer network etc?

Edited November 24, 200816 yr by akg4y

No. They can be connected to a wireless bridge or cloned (MAC Address) to a router etc. That said, they do have to be physically connected to something else that is wired/wireless IP network for the zigbee to mesh over.

So lets say I have separate networks/routers for my home network and my C4 network. In one room I will have an HC300 along with a stereo receiver, television, dvd player, etc. I dont plan on using the wireless USB device for the controller.

As of now I only have one cat5e running to the location, but I was planning on using that for part of my home network (connecting the receiver to my home network router, or connecting a wireless access point for my home network). In order to connect the HC300 to my separate C4 network router do I need to run a second cat5e cable?

yes unless you attach it to a WAP that connects to its respective router as described above.

Thanks!